Some Findings from a National Study of Women Veterans  (excerpts)

by Lynda A. King, Ph.D., Women's Health Sciences Division, Boston and Daniel W. King, Ph.D., Behavioral Science Division, Boston

During and after the Vietnam War, mental health professionals and behavioral scientists began to notice adjustment problems in some veterans returning from Southeast Asia. At first, these problems were characterized as a "post-Vietnam syndrome." In 1980, this condition was officially recognized by the American Psychiatric Association as post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. PTSD can occur when a person experiences a highly stressful event, such as exposure to warfare. Symptoms include frightening dreams and repeated memories about the event, avoiding places and things that might remind one of the event, shutting oneself off from friends and relatives, and jumpiness, irritability, and anger.

The National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study is the only national study of Vietnam veterans that included women. Of the 1,632 Vietnam veterans in the study, 432 were women veterans who had served in or around Vietnam sometime between 1964 and 1975. Most of these women were registered nurses, and 90% had been commissioned officers. Over half had served more than 4 years in the military, and about one-fifth had served 20 years or more. At the time of the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study, about 45% of these women were married; somewhat less than half had children.

The National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study found that approximately 27% of women Vietnam veterans suffered from PTSD sometime during their postwar lives.

From:  Health Links for Women Who Served in Vietnam